For Immediate Release
May 21, 2004

Oakland, Calif. (May 21, 2004) - Today, Port of Oakland officials welcomed the Federal Maritime Commission Chairman, the Honorable Steven Blust, to the Oakland seaport.

The FMC is a commission appointed by the President and its mission is generally to ensure that fair competition exists in the ocean transportation industry and that no undue controls, influences, or non-market barriers are imposed by any nation, carrier, cargo owner or intermediary, which can adversely affect U.S. oceanborne trade. The FMC's mandate is to help promote fair competition, and thereby allow the ocean transportation industry to conduct business as effectively as possible.

Port of Oakland's Executive Director Tay Yoshitani, Director of Maritime Jerry Bridges, Director of Communications Harold Jones and Government Affairs Manager Eve Grossman-Bukowski briefed the chairman on various aspects of the Port. Senior Maritime Project Administrator Michael Beritzhoff gave Mr. Blust a tour of the Oakland seaport, which consists of approximately 900 acres of maritime facilities, 11 major marine terminals and two near-dock rail facilities with more than 32 ocean carriers providing service at Oakland.

While touring the Port, Chairman Blust praised the Port of Oakland's efforts to expand the seaport with a balanced approach, " I'm happy to see that the Port of Oakland has recognized the need to meet future demands. With the tremendous growth anticipated in international trade over the next decade and beyond, the added maritime facility acreage and increased container capacity at the Oakland seaport, will be vital to accommodating the increase in volume of goods that will move through this west coast gateway. At the same time it's clear that the success here in Oakland in expanding the seaport has been accomplished by working with the local community in a collaborative process."

The ocean shipping industry faces many challenges in today's world - from the need to increase security to the impact of globalization with resultant trade imbalances and the effects of economic recovery. Blust emphasized that these challenging times can be more easily weathered when the industry values cooperation and collaboration over confrontation.

Executive Director Tay Yoshitani cited the Port's commitment to the balance of a triple bottom line, "by boosting the economy, creating social equity and caring for the environment as the port moves forward with its developments."

The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 as an independent department of the City of Oakland. The Port of Oakland oversees Oakland International Airport, the Oakland seaport and 19 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport handled a record 1.9 million TEUs in 2003 and is the 4th busiest containerport in the U.S.

Contact:
Harold Jones
Director of Communications
(510) 627-1564
hjones@portoakland.com